The Federal Energy Administration (now the US Department of Energy), in cooperation with state public utility commissions and participating utilities, has initiated 16 electric utility rate demonstration projects. The primary purpose of these projects was to evaluate experimentally the effects of time-of-use pricing of electricity for residential customers. The time-of-use rate most frequently employed was a time-of-day (TOD) rate. The method employed by the states to evaluate TOD rates was to select a subset of the residential population, place these people on TOD rates, and with special meters, monitor their temporal use of electricity. As might be expected, with the varying objectives of the states, available resources, and background in load management studies, a variety of approaches were employed, and a variety of data generated by the projects. Also, the received and expected analyses of the data vary considerably among the projects due to the differing interests of the states, available resources, and the composition of the project teams. The three purposes of this Analytical Master Plan (AMP) are: to ensure the data derived from the FEA projects and from related sources are subjected to econometric and statistical analysis that is both rigorous and as highly sophisticated as the state …

Thermally activated processes cause ion-implanted metals to evolve from the initial state toward thermodynamic equilibrium. The degree of equilibration is strongly dependent upon temperature and is considered for three temperature regimes which are distinguished by the varying mobilities of interstitial and substitutional atoms. In addition, perturbations resulting from the irradiation environment are discussed. Examples are given of the use of implanted and annealed alloys in studies of diffusion, phase diagrams, and solute trapping.

The waste compo itions PW-7c and PW-9 were defined and glass development was completed. Major variations in major oxide concentration would not grossly affect the leach rates of the glass. Impact and strength tests on nonradioactive glass showed that the waste glasses produced slightly less fine particulate than commercial glass. Waste glass had 60% of the strength of the soda-lime glass. A water-quench reduced thermal conductivity about 20%, and a 24-h hold at devitrification temperatures did not produce a significant change. Densities of waste glass at process temperature were 6.6 to 9.3% lower than at room temperature. The effects of glass composition on volatility were measured. Leach tests of highly devitrified samples of 72-68 have shown that leach rates of Cs, Sr and U are increased up to 10X and that Zn leach rates are reduced by nearly 200X. In glass 76-68, where devitrification is much slower, elemental differencesbetween as-formed and thermally-treated samples have not been significant. Average Cs leach rates from the 76-68 glass in an IAEA type long-term test have decreased to 3.3 x 10/sup -8/ g/cm/sup 2//day. High temperature (250 and 350/sup 0/C) leach tests showed that glass is comparable to other ceramic materials. In salt brine …

A new methodology is proposed for the identification of environmental events of health significance. Health indices measured on a daily basis at various locations in a single geographical area are collected over time. First, the daily variations are examined to determine whether they reflect purely random variations or whether there are days on which there are extreme variations not plausibly explicable as random events. After such days are identified, the question of whether they occur only at a single location within the larger geographical area at one time, or whether they occur simultaneously at more than one location is investigated. Tests of statistical significance for both temporal and spatial clustering are proposed. The methodology is applied to daily hospital emergency room visits for various respiratory complaints to several New York City hospitals situated in two geographically separated districts which, however, have populations of similar socio-economic and ethnic composition.

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) reviewing "a range of solar energy systems designed to produce thermal and electrical energy directly from sunlight" and examining this technology, identifying "the circumstances under which such systems could be economically attractive" (p. iii).

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) of the national research and development (R&D) activities with the intent of "understanding...how to maximize the beneficial impacts of our total R&D enterprise" (p. iii).

Results are presented of an appraisal of the potential for the storage of radioactive wastes by burial in underground repositories and of efforts to define the more significant factors affecting the selection and design of a repository. Those areas in geomechanics, hydrogeology, and geochemistry where further research is needed to provide answers of the quality and certainty needed to resolve these issues are examined. Results of this appraisal suggest that argillaceous and crystalline rocks may provide suitable sites for nuclear waste repositories. The most important factor affecting their suitability appears to be the flux of groundwater through the repository. Although intense fracturing would be advantageous in retarding migration of hazardous materials from a repository in these rocks by sorption, the hydraulic conductivities of these fractures would have to be very small and the hydraulic gradient low.

Appendix containing chemical and physical analyses of water and sediment in relation to disposal of dredged material in Elliott Bay to accompany a report on aquatic disposal field investigations of the Duwamish Waterway disposal site in Washington.

The following report describes work done by the Marine and Freshwater Ecology Branch, Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory (CERL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Corvallis, Oregon. The study was conducted on the chemical and physical effects of open-water disposal of dredged material from the Duwamish River into Elliot Bay, Washington.

Appendix containing data on the recolonization of benthic macrofauna over a deep-water disposal site in the Duwamish River influenced portion of Elliott Bay. It accompanies a report on the chemical and physical effects of open-water disposal of dredged material from the Duwamish River into Elliot Bay as part of a study to determine the effects of disposal sites on organisms and the quality of surrounding water.

From preface: "This report summarizes the results of a comprehensive investigation of the impact of open-water dredged material disposal by barges in Elliot Bay, a portion of Puget Sound Estuary, Washington."

Recent experimental data suggest that the concentration factor for uptake of /sup 99/Tc by vegetation from soils may be two to three orders of magnitude higher than the 0.25 value currently being used in radiological assessments. Following a survey of the literature, a concentration factor of 50 was applied to evaluate the dose from a 1.0 Ci/year release to the atmosphere by a hypothetical uranium enrichment facility. Doses to the GI tract and thyroid of an adult living 1600 m from the facility were 18 millirems and 80 millirems, respectively. These doses are delivered entirely through transport of /sup 99/Tc through food chain pathways. This assessment indicates a potential for /sup 99/Tc exposures to exceed recently proposed standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 40 CFR 190. The previously assumed concentration factor of 0.25 would have produced corresponding doses of 0.13 millirem to the GI tract and 0.57 millirem to the thyroid. The results of this analysis demonstrate the need for additional research on the environmental behavior and dosimetry of /sup 99/Tc. In particular, data are needed to elucidate the retention of /sup 99/Tc in soils and the uptake of /sup 99/Tc by edible vegetation in field studies of …

The primary goal of the study was to provide a proper foundation for decision making by the federal government, industry, and consumer. The report may be used to identify areas where new test methods and standards are needed to establish new programs for improving thermal performance of buildings, and as a basis for setting new or improved standards after the recommended test programs have been completed.

The zonal model experiments with modified surface boundary conditions suggest an initial chain of feedback processes that is largest at the site of the perturbation: deforestation and/or desertification ..-->.. increased surface albedo ..-->.. reduced surface absorption of solar radiation ..-->.. surface cooling and reduced evaporation ..-->.. reduced convective activity ..-->.. reduced precipitation and latent heat release ..-->.. cooling of upper troposphere and increased tropospheric lapse rates ..-->.. general global cooling and reduced precipitation. As indicated above, although the two experiments give similar overall global results, the location of the perturbation plays an important role in determining the response of the global circulation. These two-dimensional model results are also consistent with three-dimensional model experiments. These results have tempted us to consider the possibility that self-induced growth of the subtropical deserts could serve as a possible mechanism to cause the initial global cooling that then initiates a glacial advance thus activating the positive feedback loop involving ice-albedo feedback (also self-perpetuating). Reversal of the cycle sets in when the advancing ice cover forces the wave-cyclone tracks far enough equatorward to quench (revegetate) the subtropical deserts. (Ellsaesser, 1975).

The purpose of the overall program is to establish technological readiness and provide verification for the elements of a manufacturing sequence which would ultimately be suitable for the large-scale production of silicon solar-array modules at a selling price of less than $500/kW. A program and process plan for accomplishing this objective was developed and put into operation. This plan is centered around a processing sequence using Czochralski, silicon wafers. Three junction-formation processes are considered since cost analyses show that they do not differ greatly in cost. The progress made in the various process steps of the plan is described, and plans for the next quarter are summarized.

The goal of TVA's Availability Improvement Program for its fossil-fueled power plants is to increase plant availability from 79 to 83%, to reduce the forced outage rate from 10 to 7%, and to reduce the equivalent outage rate related to forced deratings from 6 to 2%. As background for this program historical data on plant availabilities, trends toward improved availability, factors which contribute to current reliability, and ongoing programs to improve fossil-fueled plant reliability are discussed. (LCL)

The results of rupture tests on prototypic FFTF B/sub 4/C absorber pins are presented. The test in EBR-2 involved an instrumented reference pin and a sealed pin. The observed behavior was compared with calculations by several computer models.

The results of part of a Rand study on the federal role in resolving environmental issues arising out of the implementation of energy projects are reported. The projects discussed are two geothermal programs in California: the steam resource development at The Geysers (Lake and Sonoma counties) in northern California, and the wet brine development in the Imperial Valley in southern California.

A first-order system analysis was used to evaluate various characteristics of /sup 233/U-producing hybrids. A cost model was also developed for the hybrid.

Average record (statistical analysis) data listings taken during aerial gamma-ray and magnetic surveys of the Big Delta quadrangle in Alaska.

Single record data listings taken during aerial gamma-ray and magnetic surveys of the Big Delta quadrangle in Alaska.

A NASA computer program (CEC) for calculation of complex equilibrium compositions has been modified to take into account the formation of an ideal binary solution from pure condensed species. The thermodynamics of the modification are discussed. Applications are presented.

These step-by-step procedures enable an occasional operator to run the Site 300 Meteorological Center. The primary function of the Center is to determine the maximum weight of high explosives that can be fired at Site 300 under any given meteorological conditions. A secondary function is to supply weather data for other programs such as ARAC (Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability). Included in the primary function are radar and theodolite operations for balloon tracking; calculation of temperatures for various altitudes using Oakland weather obtained from a teletype; computer terminal operation to obtain wind directions, wind velocities, temperatures, and pressure at various altitudes; and methods to determine high-explosive weight limits for simple inversions and focus conditions using pressure-versus-altitude information obtained from the computer. General information is included such as names, telephone numbers, and addresses of maintenance personnel, additional sources of weather information, chart suppliers, balloons, spare parts, etc.

This report discusses the background and first year's results of the grouting materials development program for plugging boreholes associated with the Nuclear Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. The grouts are to be pumpable, impermeable, and durable for many thousands of years. The work was done at the Concrete Laboratory of the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Vicksburg, Mississippi. The workability, strength, porosity, bonding, expansion, and permeability data are summarized and discussed. The work is continuing at WES.